Steam pumping-engine.



Patented Ian. 30, I900.

' H. M. LANE.

STEAM PUMPING ENGINE.

(Appication filed Feb. 27, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet I,

(No Model.)

ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

No. 642,237. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

H. NI. LANE.

STEAM PUMPING ENGINE.

(Appdcation filed Feb. 27, 1899.)- (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES m: mums PETERS co. v-uoTo-umo. wAsnma-mn, L: cv

Patented Jan. 30, I900. H. I. LANE. STEAM PUMPING ENGINE. (Application filed Feb. 27, 1899.)

5 Shaets$heat 3,

(No Model.)

h D h 0 m Q Q Q No. 642,237. Patented Jan. 30, I900. H. M. LANE.

STEAM PUMPING ENGINE.

(Application filed Feb. 27, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

WITNESSES v mvgmoa m: warns PEYERS co. wmnouwo WASHINGTON, n G.

No. 642,237. Patentad Jan. 30, I900. H. M. LANE.

STEAM PUMPING ENGINE.

(Appdcation filed Feb. 21, 1599.

(No Model.) 5 Shady-Sheet 5 INVENTOR sv w cw ATTORNEY Uiurrnn STATES PATENT Quince.

HENRY M. LANE, or NonwooD, OIIIO.

STEAM PUMPING-ENGINE;

srnoxrron'rroiv forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,237, dated January 30, 1900; Application filed February 2'7, 1899. Serial No. 708,911. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. LANE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Norwood, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Pumping-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention has relation to im-.

provements in steam pumping-engines, and more particularly to an arrangement thereof and of their supports and connections whereby large flywheels may be accommodated without the wheels cutting the pillow-block base-plate, and thus weakening the framing, as is the case where the well-known marine type of framing is employed, while securing at the same time a maximum of strength with accessibility of all parts to facilitate construction, renewal, and repairs.

Certain details of my present invention relate to means for economizing space, for attaining simplicity of design, and for reducing the number of parts employed.

The basic principle of my novel arrangement lies in the employment of what may be termed expansion groups as units, these units being assembled by appropriate connections in a tower formation, whereby the total stability of the plant becomes due to an increased base whose periphery is occupied by the unit groups.

While I have shown and described in this case an application of my invention to a system employing triple-expansion engines, it is obvious that a greater or less expansion may be resorted to at will without departing from the scope of my invention. It will be understood, therefore, that in the following specification the term expansion group will comprisethe successively-larger steam-cylinders, the corresponding pump-cylinders, and their operative connections and immediate supports.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a triple-expan sion pumping group constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end View of the same. Fig. 3 is a section on the horizontal line A A in Fig. 1. Fig. l is a horizontal section on the line B B of Fig. 1, showing the oblique arrangement of my horizontal valveshaft in its relation to the positions of the successively-larger cylinders shown therein in dotted lines. Figs. 5 and 5 are detail views, respectively, along the main shaft and at right angles thereto, showing my improved main bearing and its relation to the four pumprods. Figs. 6 and 6" are respectively a top and a side view of my improved cross-head adapted to use with four pump-rods. Figs. 7 and 7 are respectively a plan and a vertical median section of an assemblage of expansion units, showing one instance of a tower formation constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 8 shows a detail horizontal View of my improved arrangement of reheaters relative to the power-cylinders, and Fig. 9 shows the same in plan View.

In the application of expansion-engines to pumping practice the steamcylinders are commonly supported upon a framework over the pumpcylindersflhe stiffness and stability of this framework being supplied by a system of diagonal bracing which virtually forms an inclosure around the pumps. The placing and removal of a pump-cylinder thus becomes a very diiiicult matter, as diagonal bracings must be removed and temporary supports provided during the operation.

One of the main features of my invention is the arrangement whereby the pump-cylinders are so situated and connected both mutually and with the corner-posts of the enginesupport as to supply in themselves the elements of stiffness and stability hitherto provided by diagonal bracing. In carrying out this principle of construction I prefer to provide four main cornerposts, (shown at 1 in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7,) the box-posts (shown in section in Fig. 3) being appropriate for this purpose. As plainly shown in Fig. 2, these corner-posts are continued upward to form the immediate supports of the two extreme members of the expansion-cylinder group, the support for the intermediate member or members, where such are used, being provided by the horizontal girders 2, transversely braced in any desired manmeras, for instance, by means of the cross-girders 3. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full linesin Fig. 2 above and between the pump-cylinders.) The immediate supporting-columns 4C for the intermediate engines of each group are the same mediate cylinder or cylinders, if such be used,

in any desired mannerforinsta nce,as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be seen that the greatest possible compactness and economy of room is secured for the expansion group, together with a degree of stiffness fully equal to that derived from the use of diagonal bracing. At the same time the tower arrangement hereinafter described renders the decreased base dimensions of each group consistent with ample base and consequent stability of the whole.

The pump-cylinders are seen to be left uninclosed, and it is clear from inspection of Fig. 3 that each of the three pump-cylinders may be separately removed with minimum disturbance of the group.

The union of a number of expansion groups into a single tower form is shown in Figs.7 and 7, and in Fig. 1 is shown asectional view of the three series of horizontal girders 6, 7, and 8, whereby I preferably accomplish the union between adjacent groups.

While I have shown the tower composed of four expansion groups, it is obvious that the groups may be made to form a polygonal tower of any desired number of sides without departing from the scope of my present invention. The advantages arising from this arrangement have already been dwelt upon herein.

Coming now to a consideration of some of the more specific details of my invention, it will be seen that each triple-expansion engine consists of three cylinders, respectively supported bya pair of vertical posts,whose pistonrods 9 preferably move in a path concentric with the cylindrical cross-head bearings between said posts beneath said steam-cylinders. This is shown in Fig. 2.

Power is transmitted from each piston-rod 9 directly to its respective pump-plunger through a group of four pu mp-rods 10. (Shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 5.) The cross-head, whereby the piston-rod is connected at once to the pitman and to the aforesaid pump-rods, is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 6 It is provided with the usual connecting-pin 11 and the bearing therefor, this hearing being provided with four symmetrical lugs 12, to which are attached the upper extremities of the four pump-rods 10. The adjustable shoes 13 are used to compensate for wear at the bearing in the well-known manner.

The fly-wheels of my pumping-engine are shown in Fig. l at 14 and are supported and driven by means of the usual main shaft, supported in a novel form of bearings. (Shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 5*.) This main bearing may be supported in relation to the general framework in any desired manner, as by means of the cross-beams 15. In order to economize space so far as possible, I have arranged the four pump-rods 10 so that one pair thereof straddles the mainbearin g, which latter I cut away at the sides, as shown in Fig. 5, extending the same above and .below the main shaft to the extremity of the crank-hub 16. I thus provide room for the straddling pump-rods, while retaining the essential portions of the bearing, since the strain upon this latter is always exerted either upward or downward. The position of the second pair constituting the group of four pump-rods is shown in Fig. 5. It will thus be seen that I am enabled to reduce the distance between steam-cylinders, while at the same time extending and strengthening the main bearing. It will of course be understood that the main crank and its pitman swing within the space occupied by the four pump-rods. The consequent reduction in the width of the enginespace will in some instances prevent the plac ing'of the reheating-dru ms between cylinders in the manner hitherto common. I therefore prefer to provide the necessary reheaters arranged, as shown at 17, between the second and third cylinders in Figs. 1 and 8-that is to say, in a vertical tier, one above the other. By use of a number of reheaters thus arranged each may be made of small enough diameter to fit within the reduced space between the cylinders. These reheaters have their ends protruding beyond the lagging, as shown in Fig. 2, which shows the cylinders with the lagging removed, and in Fig. 9, wherein the lagging is indicated by dotted lines. Appropriate covers are provided at these ends, and thus accessibility is promoted and cleaning and repairs are rendered easier.

Figs. 8 and 9 show these features in detail in my preferred construction,wherein live steam from the main pipe 25 passes around tubes 26, through which the power-steam is passed between the power-cylinders. The covers of the reheaters are shown at 27 protruding beyond the lagging 28.

Another novel feature of my pumping plant is the use of a simple form of valve connection,'as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This involves, essentially, two vertical systems of connection cooperating through the means of a single horizontal system. As shown in Fig. 2, a gearing, preferably spiral, is fixed, as at 18, to the fiy-wheel or some part revolving with it, and a shaft 19, having a generally vertical direction, is geared thereto, preferably by spiral gearing. This constitutes the lower vertical system.

A horizontal shaft 20 is actuated by means of gearing, also preferably spiral, (shown at 21 in Fig. 1,) and on this shaft are carried the eccentrics or cams 22, whereby motion is ICC imparted, according to the required law of movement, to the second vertical system of valve-rods 23. By means of these last-named rods the valves 24: (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) are actuated. I prefer to employ, as shown, separate rods for the exhaust and for the inlet valves.

One novel peculiarity of my present invention lies in the oblique arrangement of the horizontal valve-shaft, as shown in Fig. 4. As therein shown, where expansionengines are used successive cylinders (shown in dotted lines) are of successively-increasing diameter, and as it is advisable to arrange these cylinders symmetrically with relation to the supporting-posts a plane tangent to all three cylinders is inclined to the direction of the median plane of the supports and the cylinders encroach upon the space within the tower. In order, therefore, to reduce the number of parts and to provide a simple and direct vertical connection between the horizontal shaft and the valves, as shown, I incline the shaft 20, so as to make it substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the steamcylinders on their inner sides. This is shown in Fig. a. Fig. i also clearly illustrates the form of the cylindrical bearing to for the main cross-head very clearly, the section-line being taken below the steam-cylinders.

Many modifications of the details as herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to these precise details.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a pumping plant, a tower composed of a number of vertical supporting-frames braced together side by side around a polygonal area; in combination with pumps within said frames and a driving-engine supported over each pump by its inclosing framework.

2. In a pumping plant, a number of vertical, self-contained pump and engine units each consisting of four corner-posts, engines supported thereby and uninclosed pump-cylinders between said posts and braced thereto, said units being braced together so as to inclose a polygonal area.

In a self-contained, vertical pumping plant, a framework consisting of four cornerposts, a number of steam-cylinders supported by the upper parts of said posts, vertical pu1np-cylinders located beneath said steamengines and removably braced to said posts and to each other, and operative connections between said steam-cylinders and pumps.

4-. In apumping plant, corn er-posts, pumpcylinders within the space limited by said posts, said cylinders being removably connected to said posts and to each other and being uninclosed by bracing between said posts.

5. In a pumping plant, a framework consisting of four corner-posts, horizontal girders, and an intermediate pair of supporting-posts supported by said girders; in combination with three engine-cylinders supported by said three pair of posts, and three corresponding pump-cylinders beneath said girders, the end pump-cylinders being attached to said cornerposts and the intermediate pump-cylinder being attached to the other two.

6. In a power plant, an engine, a system of four rods for transmitting the power thereof, a fly-wheel shaft and crank, said crank swing ing within said group of four rods and a main bearing for said shaft cut away at its sides and extended above and below the main shaft, one pair of said transmitting-rods straddling the cut-away portion of said main bearing.

7. In a vertical expansion-engine, a sub stantially vertical transmission system geared to the main shaft, a horizontal shaft extending in front of the cylinders and geared to said vertical system, cams or their equivalents on said shaft, and a second substantially vertical system consisting of substantially parallel independent connections for the admission and exhaust valves of each cylinder, operated by corresponding cams or their equivalents on said horizontal shaft.

8. In a power plant, a main shaft and a compound engine driving the same provided with appropriate valves, said engine including cylinders of successively-greater diameters; in combination with ahorizontal valveshaft carrying operating-cams or their equivalents, connections between said cams or their equivalents and said valves, for operating the latter, said shaft being substantially parallel to a plane tangent to said engine-cylinders, and means whereby said shaft is driven from said main shaft.

0. In a Vertical compound engine having successive cylinders side by side, a common shaft for operating the valves on the various cylinders, said shaft being arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the surfaces of the smallest and largest of said cylinders.

10. In a vertical compound engine having successively-larger cylinders side by side, valves on the same sides of said cylinders, a main driving-shaft, a common shaft for operating the valves on the various cylinders driven from the main shaft, said shaft being arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the surfaces of the smallest and largest of said cylinders, and direct link connections parallel to said cylinders between said shaft and said valves.

HENRY M. LANE.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. Tron, GEORGE MELVIN Lns'rnis. 

